After two elections and two legislative sessions that were centered on the federal health care overhaul, Arkansas is preparing to implement a key part of the 2010 health law with the launch of its online insurance marketplace.

Oct. 1 will mark one of the biggest changes in the history of health insurance in the United States. On that day, open enrollment begins in the Health Insurance Marketplace. Several unanswered questions exist about the ACA.

Employers should assess their business quickly to determine a plan of action that minimizes risk as they face looming health care reforms that are already taking place, according to speakers at Wednesday’s Arkansas Business Health Care Symposium.

A division of the Arkansas Insurance Department is preparing to spread the word about the Affordable Care Act. This month, 600 or more workers are expected to be hired to march into communities to inform Arkansans about details including health care exchanges under the ACA, also known as Obamacare, that go into effect Jan. 1.

Arkansas officials say the state is moving forward with implementing parts of the federal health care law after an election that provided clarity on the federal level but uncertainty in the state Legislature about the political future of the controversial legislation.